Arsenal fans don't need many more reasons to hate Ashley Cole – but here’s one anyway

After rejecting a new contract to stay with the Gunners, Cole almost doubled his wages at Stamford Bridge in a deal that cost the Blues £5m plus William Gallas.

But the move left a bitter taste in the mouths of many an Arsenal supporter, who accused the England international of chasing the money, dubbing him “Cashley” Cole.

Now 36, Cole has hung up his boots, making increasingly frequent appearances in the football media as a pundit and analyst.

But his most recent appearance saw him crop up on new ITV show Play to the Whistle, where he fired a dig at his former club sure to leave Arsenal fans seething.

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Ashely Cole further enraged Arsenal fans after appearing on ITV's Play to the Whistle

“Did you ever regret leaving Arsenal?” asked host Holly Willoughby.

“I had a great time there and I miss the old players that was there when I was there but I moved on and I won every trophy I wanted to, so I wouldn’t look back and say I regretted it, no,” Cole replied.

But he dug himself further into the mire when asked if he enjoying watching Arsenal’s struggles from afar following the move.

He continued: “If I’m honest yeah, I still think to this day I laugh to myself.

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The London-born defender joined Chelsea in a cut-price £5m transfer deal

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“I think you have to. I had a lot of history there and, of course the way I left may be dodgy, but I think there was a lack of respect they showed me as well.”

It comes as supporters were urged to remember what Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has done for the club amid increasingly vocal protests encouraging the Frenchman to walk away.